Ezra c



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEo EZRA @.EITGH, oF NEW YORK, N. Y.

WATCH-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 277,865, dated May 15, 1883.

Application filed December 6, 1881.

To all whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, EZRA C. FITCH, ot' New York city, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Watch-Cases. of which the following is a specication.

My presentinvention relates more especially to that improved type of hunting-case watch patented to me February 17, 1880, No. 224,670, in which the main or back portion ofthe case is made in one seamless shell without caps or joints, while the movement is accessible from the front only, being held in an outswinging ring, which is hinged in the front opening of the case, over which the usual front cap closes. This form of hunting-case, as fully shown and claimed in the said patent, has the important advantage of being much lighter, cheaper, and simpler than the old constructions, and better protects the movement from exposure to air or to dust or moisture on account ofthe absence of all caps, openings, or joints at the back of the ease, and vet the movement is readily accessible from `the front when access to it is desired. Now, my present invention aims to further improve this type of watch-case by rendering the dial and the movement still more accessible and yet better protected, and also to enable the bezel and its'crystal to be raised from the dial and the hinged 'movement-holding ring swung out ofthe casein a more facile manner than heretofore.

To these ends one feature of my invention consists in employing, in connection with the outswinging movement or movement-holding ring, an ejecting-spring and a retaining-catch, similar to that commonly employed to act on the front cap, so arranged that when the catch is released the spring causes the movementtol swing out of the case automatically; and, in connection with the foregoing, another feature consists in arranging the operating-knob on the stem so Athat when pressed in one way it shall-release the usualcatch 'of the lid and allow its spring to throw the lid open, and when pressed in the opposite way shall release the catch of the outswinging movement and allow its spring to swing the same out intoits accessibleposition, whereby the same operating-knob controls both parts. A lthird feature consists in hinging the bezel to the movement-holding ring or to the ease, so that the (No model.)

bezel and crystal may be easily raised from the dial, when desired, without ever being actually detached from the case.

My improvement also embodies a crystalholding ring, aflxed to the inner or under edge of the movement-holding ring, to cover and protect the under side of the movement, yet render it visible when vswung out without exposing it to air, dust, or moisture, and also includes some further minor details, as hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings herewith presents a side elevation of my improved watch-case with the lid raised and the movement-holding ring swung fully up or out 0f the case, the under side of the ring beng.turi1ed toward the observer in full elevation. Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to Fig. l, looking from the stem end of the case, the body of the case being shown in diamctrical section, while the movement-holding ring is swung partly out, and the hinged bezel shown raised slightly from the ring. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan on lines mfr. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation in the same direction as Fig.2, butwith the movement-ring and its hinged bezel swung into the case, the same being shown in diametrical section.

ln the drawings, a indicates the main or back portion or body of the case, or, rather, the case proper, which is made, according to my aforesaid Patent 224,670 and my previous Patent 1idd-214,642, in one continuous simple shell without joints, caps, or perforations, as illustrated. This shell or case is ot' course open on the front yor top to receive the movement, and over this open front the top cap or lid, b, closes coincident with the edges ot' the seamless shell in the usual manner of huntingwatches, as will be understood, and as illustrated in the drawings.

c indicates the movement-holding ring, in which the movement is to be inserted and held in the same manner in which the American movements-are held in their cases. rlhis ring is hinged to the margin or edge of the lid b, and at a point on its circumference which Y' Patent 224,670, so that the ring, with its ccntained movement-and its attached bezel and crystal, may be swung into or out of the case, as occasion requires, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The bei/.el e is not atlixedto the movement-ring by snapping thereon, as shown in my tortner patent., but is hinged tothe ring or to the case, or, rather, preferably on the rame axis or pintle by which the ring is itself hinged to the case, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 4, and at the opposite end to this hinge a tongue, f, projects from the bezel, and is adapted to catch or spring over the edge ot' the ring, as shown well in Figs. 2 and 4, and also in Fig. The bezel is thus securely connected with and fits tightly over the ring, and moves with the ring as it is swung into orout ot' the case, as seen in' Figs. l. and 4, and also in Fig. 2; and it will be noted that when the ring is swung out the bezel may be easily raised therefrom, as shown in Fig'. 2, to uncover and give. access to the dial when desired, yet ihe'bef/.el and its contained crystal will always remain attached tothe case, ready to be again instantly closed when desired, instead ot' being entirely removed and liable to be misplaced, injured, or soiled, as is the case with the usual detachable bezels.

New, around the interior ot' the case, near the top, is formed an annular recess or channel. g, in which are arranged the springs and catches which control the opening' ot' the cap and ot' the movementring, as shown best in Fig. 3; also, in Figs. 2 and 4.. 0n the right of Fig. 3 is seen the ordinary arrangement of spring and catch for thelid. These consstot' two parts, li li, the outer or i'ree ends ot' each part being slender and springy, while their inner meeting ends are rigid and rigidlysecured in the recess g ofthe case, as shown best in Fig. 3. rlhe springy end of the part h, as seen best in Figs. 2 and 3, hears against the lid b near. t-he hinge in the usual manner, and tends to constantlyraise or vopen the lid. rlhespringy end ot' the part 'i bears against a shoulder or rim, lr, 0n the inner end ot' the stem-winding key l, and a sharp-edged projection or catch, on, ex tends from the spring rjust near the windingkey and rises over the edge ot' the case, being adapted to engage with a recess in the under side ot' the lid in the usual manner. Hence, when the lid is shut down, the catch m will engage with and hold theeame closed; but when the stem-knob L is pressed inward thc catch m will be retracted andthe spring IL will throw the lid up or open in the well-known nianner. Now, ifthe knob Z be moved in the opposite direction to that just described-that is, pulled outwardthe movement holding` ring will be released from the case and automatically thrown into its outswinging position, as in Fig. l, to allow free access to the movement, which forms one feature ot'vmy invention. This is effected by the springs and catches arranged in the 'recess g 011 the left ot' the case, as seen best in Fig. 3. u is a steel spring, which is fixed at aboutits middle in the recess g, and is rigid at this part; but its end nf is slender and springy, as seen best in Fig. 2, where it will be seen that this end is turned upward and tends constantly to spring upward in the direction of the arrow. New, the other end, a, of the spring it is also slender and springy, and bears against the outer side ot' the long arm ot' a small curved lever,

mo, also pivoted in the recess f/while the short catch in a recess on the end ot' the longarnrct' the lever o, as seen in Fig. 4,which arm is continuonsly pressed out into its engaging position by the spring a. The movement-ring will thus be securely held in the case, as seen in Fi'g. 4, until the stem knob Z' is pulled out, when the levers o o will be moved, the catclrlever o withdrawn from the tongue j', and the tlexed spring n will now ot' course react and throw the ring up out of the casein its outswung position, as in Fig. 1. lt will thus be seen that the stem-winding knob and key I l' not only serves to wind themovement when rotated, and releases the lid-catch and causes the lid to open when pressed inward, as usual, but it possesses the additional funetion of throwing out the movement-ring when pulled outward, so that the one part thus accomplishes three actions, thereby conducing greatly to the simplicity, convenience, and pert'ection ot' the watch.

The movement-ring is ot' course perforated with a small hole, p, as shown in Fig. 2, in line with ythe stem, to allow the winding-stud ot'the movement to project out and engage with the windingkey ,and below this hole a projection, i', is fixed on the ring to underlie the lower half ofthe winding-key, as seen best in Fig. 2. This projection is-in shape similar to onehalt'ot' a small journal-box, and projects from the ring as far as the end ot' the winding-stud,

l'OO

IOS

IIC)

or a little farther, and is inclined or` camshaped below the key, as represented in Figs. l and 2. Now, the winding-key ,when at rest, projects sufficiently far into the case so that its hollow end lies in the path ot' the inclined projection 1', (see dotted lilies inFig. 1,) and when the movement -ring is swung into the ease the inclined projection contacts with the end ofthe key and presses it out till the ring arrives in its correct position in the case,when the projection i' rides under the windingkey, and the key then springs into engagement with the winding-stud, as will be readily understood. rlhe winding-key is provided with the'usual spring', s, within the stem, arranged 3, tending to constantly press positlon of engagement; but

as shown in Fig. the key into its this spring sis not absolutely necessaryin my case, as the spring n" ,with the levers o o' ,tends to constantly press the key inward, as will be understood, and hence the usual spring, s, may be dispensed with, it' desired, which is an advantage. j

The remaining 'features of invention consist in a crystal, o, held in a removable ring or bezel, u, on the inner edge of the outswinging ring, to cover the back of the movement, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3,) which bezel is snapped or screwed onto the edge of the ring, preferably the former, as shown in Fig. 3. This crystal thus covers the movement and protects it from dust or moisture, and yet renders it freely' visible when the ring is swung out, as in Fig. 1, and of course, being attached to the ring, it moves with the ring as it is swung in or out, and remains as a constant protection to the movement.

When the watch-movement is swung ont of vthe case it is usually for the purpose merely oi looking at the movement or showingit to others, which is frequently done; whereas actual access to the movement for regulating it or otherwise is comparatively seldom required, and for the former purpose the crystal attached to the movement ring serves to fully display the movement, yet protects it from all unnecessaryexposure. This is an important matter in the case of tine movements, which have been frequently injured,when carelessly exposed, by a drop ot' rain from the hat of the thoughtless owner or sometimes by a drop of perspiration from the face, and very often the moisture f'rom the hands and from the breath injures or tarnishcs the works it'exposed thereto t'or even a comparatively short time. By the device described, however, the movement is completely protected from all such possible injuries, vet is at the same time displayed, and when access to the movement is required to adjust the regulator, or otherwise, it is easily accomplished by simply removing the bezel, which can be again easily replaced. A crystal fixed over the back ot'a fixed movement has ofcourse been used; butin my case the crystal is removably affixed to an outswinging movement ring, which is a novel and advantageous arrangement'ot' parts, as will bc readily appreciated.

that I claim as my invention is l. The combination, with an inclosing watch- Y case, of a hinged movement or movement-holding ring arranged toswing into and out of said case, aspring arranged to eject or swing said movement or ring out of the case, a top cap or lid arranged to close down over said movement and case, and a spring to raise the same, together with a stem projecting from said ease, and an operating-key extending throu gh the stem and controlling two catches,

.swinging mover 2. The combination, with an inclosing watch case continuous or closed at the back andopen in the front and with an outswinging movement-ring hinged at the-front edge thereof, and adapted to swing into and out of the cas'e,

of a crystal-holding bezel hinged at the edge -of thecase at or nearly coincident with the hinge of the said ring, and adapted to be closed down upon orlbe swung up from said ring, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. Thecombination, with an inclosingwatchcase, ring hinged to the case and adapted to swing into and out of the same, and of a crystalholding bezel hinged over the ring, and on the same point or axis which hinges the said ring to the case, and adapted to close over and move with said ring, substantially as herein shown and described. I

et. In combination with an inclosing watchcase, the hinged outswinging ring and hinged bezel, having a catch-tongue adapted to spring or catch over the edge of the ring, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. The combination, watch-case,'ofA a stem-winding key and a lever-sprin g, n, disposed crcumferentallyin the interior ofthe case, and arranged to exert its pressure inwardly on said key to keepitpre'ssed inward in its normal and engaging position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

(5. The combination, 'with a stem-winding watch-case, its stem-winding key, and an outswinging movcment, of the spring n, arranged to project the key,'with the coupled levers o o, arran ged'in the circumference of the case, with one of said levers engaged with the key and the other serving as a catch to engage or disengagc the outswinging movement, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. The combnation,with an inclosing watchcase con tinuous or closed at the back and open on the front, of an outswinging movement holding ring hinged to swing into vand out of the case, and a removable crystal-holding rin g or bezel attached over the inner or underside of said movement-holding ring, substantially as herein shown and described.

, E. C. FITCH.

Witnesses j A. M. CROMMELIN, G. A. MCGAY.

of an outswinging movement holding y with a stem-windingl'IO 

